9 swag bag ideas for employee self-care kits

Employee wellness has become a core part of how companies recruit, retain, and support their people. According to Wellhub's 2026 State of Work-Life Wellness report, 89% of workers say they perform better when they prioritize their wellbeing. And with 90% of employees reporting burnout symptoms in the past year, it’s clear that teams need more than ping pong tables and pizza parties.

Here's where self-care kits come in. Unlike standard swag bag ideas that revolve around company pride, self-care kits are designed around rest and rejuvenation. They work well for moments when you want to acknowledge that work has been a lot lately, whether that’s after a tough quarter, during Mental Health Awareness Month, or as part of a wellness stipend. They're also a thoughtful touch for onboarding boxes, holiday gifts, or company retreats.

Without further ado, here are nine swag bag ideas that encourage employees to slow down and take a moment for themselves.

1. 12-piece chocolate-covered biscuit gift box 

Sometimes self-care is just a really good piece of chocolate. This gift box contains 12 tea biscuits (half milk chocolate, half dark), each stamped with your logo or design directly into the chocolate surface. The presentation feels premium thanks to its silver or gold box with a matching ribbon, and it's also made in the USA.

Note: This product is currently only available for delivery to US addresses.

2. Water bottles

Hydration is the most foundational form of self-care – it’s what every wellness article tells you to do first when you’re feeling stressed (and the thing most people still forget). 

For self-care kits, look for bottles with features that make hydration a little easier or more enjoyable, such as insulation that keeps drinks cold all day, built-in straws for hands-free sipping, or clever extras that add functionality beyond just holding liquid.

At Wayo, some of our favorite unique picks include a 24 oz. water bottle with magnetic phone holder and mount, where the MagSafe-compatible lid props your phone up for guided meditations or stretch breaks. There’s also a collapsible silicone water bottle in our catalog that folds down flat when empty, which is great for employees who travel or are tight on desk space.

3. Flame aroma oil diffuser & humidifier

This diffuser creates a flickering flame-like glow while releasing aromatherapy mist, so it looks like a tiny fireplace but won't set off any smoke detectors or require a landlord's permission. In other words, it's the kind of thing that makes a home office or bedroom feel instantly like a place where you can actually unwind.

4. Blankets

There's a reason "get cozy" is shorthand for taking care of yourself. Sometimes you just need to wrap up in something soft and let the emails wait – naturally, a good blanket is the kind of swag that sticks around for years, whether it’s draped over a couch, tucked into a car, or pulled out every time someone works from home on a cold day.

5. Hoodies and sweatshirts

Most company sweatshirts end up as pajamas or gym clothes, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the best ones are the ones people actually want to wear outside. 

For self-care kits, prioritize quality over quantity. Heavyweight loungewear with fleece liners gets softer with each wash, turning into the kind of swag that someone reaches for on a Sunday morning, a work-from-home day, or simply when they just need to feel a little more put-together while still being cozy.

6. Jacquard knit crew socks

Cozy socks are an underrated form of self-care. Cold feet are distracting; warm feet let you actually focus on whatever you're trying to relax into, whether that's a movie, a book, or just sitting on your couch without thinking about work for five minutes.

These stand out because of the construction. Jacquard knit weaves your design directly into the fabric rather than printing it on top, which means no fading, cracking, or peeling over time. The cotton blend keeps them breathable, and the crew length hits right below the calf. 

7. Essential moisturizing lip balm 

Lip balm is the kind of low-key swag bag idea that people use every day without thinking about it, which is exactly what makes it effective. This one comes in vanilla, peppermint, or unflavored options, with a customizable full-color label. It's made in the USA and fits easily into pockets, bags, or desk drawers.

Starting at less than a dollar per unit, it's the most budget-friendly swag bag idea on this list, making it perfect for padding out self-care kits or including as a thoughtful extra in larger gifts. 

Note: This product is currently only available for delivery to US addresses.

8. Slim tech organizer pouch 

When you're not digging through your bag for a charging cable or wondering where you put your headphones, there's a little less friction in your day. This slim pouch keeps cords, adapters, and small power banks organized with mesh pockets and elastic bands, but it works just as well for skincare essentials, medications, or any small stuff that tends to scatter to the bottom of your bag. The exterior is scratch-resistant and waterproof, and there's even a wrist strap that makes it easy to take with you on the go. 

9. Notebooks

Journaling has become a mainstream wellness practice, but you don't need to be an avid journaler to appreciate a good notebook. From brain dumps to to-do lists, gratitude logs to random ideas, getting things out of your head and onto paper is useful whether or not you call it self-care.

For self-care kits, look for something that feels a little nicer than the standard spiral-bound. This means soft-touch covers, quality paper, and a design that looks at home on a nightstand or desk. The best part of these Wayo picks is that you can customize almost all of these options with UV printing, hot stamping (gold or silver foil), or debossing, depending on whether you want a bold look or something more subtle. 

Small comforts, big impact

The best employee self-care kits don't try to do everything; instead, they pick a few swag bag ideas that work well together and feel intentional. This might mean a cozy sweatshirt paired with custom socks and a notebook, or maybe a water bottle with lip balm and a tech organizer. 

Whether you’re building a self-care kit for 50 people or 5,000, Wayo makes it easy to customize and order the products that fit your team's needs. Browse our full catalog to find more self-care essentials, or use our AI sourcing assistant, Nory, to create something completely unique from scratch.